St. John of the Cross
Parent Association Meeting Minutes
September 27, 2011
Attendance: Mrs. Gorman, Zita Wheeler, Mary Hogan, Katie Herr, Eileen Kamholz,
Sue Bock, Marie Gerken, Erin Gibbons, Lolly Maloney, Carolyn Chinthagada, Jennifer
Miller, Kristine Meece, Katie Murphy, Kathy Stillo, Patti Mannebach, Maggie McGarel,
Sarah Scudder, Karen Hoch, Cathy Bonaccorsi, Sue Gibbons, Marueen Chopp, Kelly
Murphy, Kathleen Feldmeir, Jackie Paez-Goldman, Ellen Smith, Anne LeFevour, Jenny
Mazur
Opening Prayer: Provided and read by Katie Herr
Administrators’ Report: Mrs. Gorman stated that the Aims.web Program has been put
into place this school year for grades K-8. She asked for patience with the new school
website as they are perfecting it and in the meantime, when in doubt, parents should
contact the teachers with questions. On Oct 14th there will be a faculty party for Charlie
Miller, the former web master, to recognize and thank him for all his charitable work.
She was enthusiastic about the teacher’s book club that has formed and their first book is
The Bully, The Bullied, The Bystander by Barbara Coloroso. Emergency drills are in
place. Games Day has been delayed until Mrs. Bak returns. Mrs. Kirsch had surgery and
will return as soon as possible. Zita Wheeler announced that the Fire Department signed
off on drills and 2 grades got out of the school bus under state guidelines!
Advancement Report: Mary Hogan raved about the great number of volunteers that
have helped with the events so far this school year. The LRC has 2 copies of the 50th
Anniversary video that can be checked out. The school is enthusiastic about a pilot
program in which it is ordering ipads and ipods for younger grades to be used to enhance
instruction. Last year’s Annual Fund increased 40% from the previous year, and the first
mailing for this year’s Annual Fund will go out in October. On Dec 19th, the Feast of St.
John of the Cross, there will be a breakfast for former faculty after the mass. During the
2012 Memorial Games, there will be an alumni reunion as well as a Fun Run and ice
cream social.
Coordinators’ Report: Eileen Kamholz mentioned instead of the traditional folder
given to committee chairs, PA is attempting to go paperless by putting important forms
under PA on the website. There is a Feedback/Committee Event report form that the
chairs can, once filled out, automatically send instead of having to print off. There is no
copy code necessary to use the copy machine. Mary Beth Wingert and Pam DeCesare
will provide PA representatives with paper when needed. The 4 coordinators have been
given specific committees in order to simplify and inform volunteers to know who their
“go to” person is for each committee. The Tailgate on the 1st day of school was very well
attended. When planning PA events and putting them on the school calendar, Pam
DeCesare is the contact person. All flyers need to be approved by Zita. The following
completed activities were thanked: 2011 SJC Day, 8th Grade Events, Hospitality, School
Supplies, and New Family Orientation. PA was presently working with Student Council
on having a Pack the Place on October 6th.
AAIC: Cathy Bonaccorsi needs volunteers for Mrs. Sellinger, Mrs. Ostrowski, Mrs.
Mazur, and Mrs. Linehan. Cathy stated that this position is not time consuming (only 30
minutes) and binders are provided with instructions.
Angel Gift: Maureen Chopp stated that all volunteers are in place.
Bakers: Lisa Solano requested, if possible, to receive target numbers for events in order
to know how much food to prepare.
Birthday Board: Erin Gibbons has many volunteers who help make this board fun for
the kids to enjoy.
Book Fair: Sue Bock said set-up will be on Oct 24h and the fair will be in the Parish
Center October 25th-27th.
Box Tops: Sarah Scudder is working on contest for kids to initiate receiving more box
tops. She said there is information at Domnicks about registering online on the
Campbell’s website in order for SJC to get school credit.
Catholic Schools Week: Marie Gerken informed us that CSW will be January 30thFebruary 3rd, 2012.
Celebrate SJC Day: Jackie Paez-Goldman stated this day continues to go well and will
follow the same plan for this fun day until things don’t work.
Directory: Sue Gibbons reported that the school directories were distributed on October
26th.
Good Will: It was reported that Betsy Sullivan is doing a lot of great work behind the
scenes.
Hospitality: Pattie Mannebach said that Grandparent’s Day on September 8th and 9th for
Preschool and Kindergarten went great and there were many volunteers. Grandparents
Day for grades 1-4 is October 11th.
Magazine Drive: Jenny Mazur encouraged everyone to get the word out for those who
order magazines (and their family members) to do so through Magazine Drive and not
Innisbrook. It is being worked on to have a link on the new school website in order for
people to do this.
Manna: An email blast regarding Manna was ok’d by Zita.
New Family Orientation: Katie Murphy reported that 8/20 new families came to the
New Family Ice Cream Social. It was suggested that there be a new family area at the
tailgate party. This year, new families were given a packet of helpful information on
what to know about SJC. Also talked about is having an ice cream social for all school
families at the beginning of the school year.
Room/Grade Parents: Kristi Meece and Jennifer Miller are planning the Halloween
parties and Christmas Service Projects. There were many good suggestions given to help
new families and children to SJC, especially those in the upper grades, feel welcome and
have an easier time adjusting to SJC.
School Supplies: Carolyn Chinthagada and Karen Hoch stated that 491 students ordered
school supplies for this school year. 349 of those students ordered online and 142
ordered by check. There was a $1300 profit made and they let us know that Innisbrook is
teaming with Office Depot.
Social: Katie Murphy and Ellen Smith mentioned the possibility of 2 events on
November 7th: Suburbanite Bowl for 3rd and 4th graders and Flying High for 1st and 2nd
grades.
Special Lunches: Sarah Scudder said pizza day was a success.
Spirit Wear: Marie Gerken was meeting with Spirit Wear rep after meeting to work on
organizing it to move forward.
Teacher Appreciation: Not until May, so Ellen Smith and Maggie McGarel will be
working on this event as the date gets closer.
8th Grade Special Events: Sign-ups for the activities were last week and Memorial
Game Chairs are in place.
School Board: Lisa Solano reported that the August and September meetings went well.
There is an outside group who will be reviewing the Board in November and its roll to
access it’s effectiveness for the school. This year’s kindergarten class rolled into
uniforms.
Endowment: John Knoelke is the chair for this year’s Endowment party and a date is
being set.
Women’s Club: Maureen Chopp stated the Mother/Daughter Campout was a success
despite the rain. Women’s Club had a membership drive after masses the previous
weekend and handed out carnations to all women present. On the evening of October 3rd
, they will sponsor an inspirational yoga evening and the Fashion Show is the night of
November 17th at Bella Catering.
The meeting ended at 10:30am. Submitted by Marie Gerken